WHO WE ARE
HABITHONISTIM/IDSF, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, is a non-profit organization and a movement, which aims to educate, influence and shape the narrative about Israel’s strategic national security needs, in order to create a secure Israel for today and future generations. Founded in February 2020, the organization has experienced explosive growth since its inception, with a membership that consists of over 2,000 high-ranking Israeli reserve officers, commanders and operators from the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet and Israeli Police, as well as some of Israel’s leading academics and researchers. HABITHONISTIM/IDSF offers an authoritative voice of reason which promotes a realistic vision of Israeli national security needs based on objective military principles that can meet any future risk to Israel. Our members are proud Israelis, who love the Jewish state and the Jewish people and are willing to do all that is required to defend and secure its future and to share our knowledge and conviction with policymakers, youth and the general public.
HABITHONISTIM/IDSF
WE ADVOCATE THE RIGHT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL TO EXIST IN SECURITY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL.
WE BELIEVE THAT ISRAEL'S SECURITY NEEDS ARE A TOP PRIORITY AND SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE STATE OF ISRAEL DOES NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO MAKE NATIONAL SECURITY MISTAKES OR LOSE A WAR. THE IDF MUST MAINTAIN COMPLETE FREEDOM OF ACTION IN ALL ARENAS TO FULFILL ITS MISSION OF PROTECTING ISRAEL’S CITIZENS.
WE DO NOT OPINE ON OTHER POLITICAL ISSUES AND/OR SUPPORT PARTICULAR POLITICIANS OR PARTIES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE DEBATE ON ISRAELI NATIONAL SECURITY
LEADERSHIP TEAM
CEO & Founder Brigadier General (res.)
General (res.)
General (res.)
Colonel (res)
CEO & Founder
Brigadier General (res.)
Amir Avivi
General (res.)
Gershon Hacohen
Executive board
General (res.) Yitzchak
(Jerry) Gershon
Executive board
Colonel (res)
Ronen Itzik
Executive board
Spokesman
Head of the Research Department Brigadier General (res.)
Advisor Lieutenant Colonel (res.)
Executive board
Head of the Research Department
Brigadier General (res.)
Yossi Kupperwasser
Advisor
Lieutenant Colonel (res.)
Yaron Boskila
Erez Eshel
Executive board
Spokesman
Meir Layoush
International Public Relations
Researcher
Coordinator of Programs
International Public Relations
Avi Hyman
Researcher
Or Yissachar
Coordinator of Programs
Leora Levian
External Relations and Development
Coordinator of Policy and International Communities
Coordinator of Policy and International Communities
Ariela Davis
External Relations and Development
Nofar Salman
ADVISORY BOARD
Brigadier General (res.)
Brigadier General (res.)
General (res.)
Brigadier General (res.)
Nechemia Sokol
Brigadier General (res.)
Nati Cohen
General (res.)
Yosi Bachar
Professor Alex Bligh
Brigadier General (res.)
Brigadier General (res.)
Major General (res.)
Brigadier General (res.)
Zvika Haimovic
Brigadier General (res.)
Harel Knafo
Major General (res.)
Shalom Katabi
Dr. Mordechai Kedar
Brigadier General (res.)
Tzvika Foghel
Major (res) Basam Sleem
Review Board
Major (res) Review Board
Colonel (res.)
Brigadier General (res.)
Colonel (res.)
Tal Braun
Lieutenant Colonel (res)
Orly Levanon
Review Board
Lieutenant Colonel (res) Review Board
Police Brigadier Review Board